Kristaps Porzingis is proving all the doubters, even Phil Jackson, wrong by playing his best without Carmelo Anthony

Thaddeus Young was one of those defenders who always seemed to frustrate Kristaps Porzingis, who used his strength to ground the Latvian and hold him to 38% shooting in their first seven matchups.

But like most of Porzingis’ opponents these days, Young was absolutely torched on Sunday night by the new and improved 22-year-old. So what’s the difference?

“Melo’s not there,” Young told the Daily News after his Pacers were upended by the Knicks, 108-101. “So he’s going to get the ball 10 or 15 more times per game. Anytime a guy sees the ball that much, the rim just gets bigger.”

A lot of us were wrong about Porzingis’ ability to assume the burden so soon in his career. He and the Knicks are actually better without Carmelo Anthony, if only because it means Porzingis is getting more opportunities.

Phil Jackson was certainly wrong.

Kristaps Porzingis has Knicks fans at MSG excited again.

(Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images)

If you don’t remember, Jackson – during one of his final press conferences as president of the Knicks — declared Porzingis as physically unready to be the leader once Anthony left. Porzingis wasn’t around to hear those comments because he skipped the exit interview earlier that day out of protest.

But he heard about Jackson’s lack of faith. Then he used it as motivation. It was a parting gift from the Zen Master, whose mind games finally worked on a Knick.

“The challenge is never too big for me. I always accept the challenge and that’s why I knew coming into this season that if Melo was not going to be here I’m going to have to be the guy,” Porzingis said. “I was preparing for this. I’m just happy I’m capable of playing at this level right now.”

Porzingis is more than capable. His career-high 40-point performance Sunday meant he holds the franchise record for most points in the opening nine games of a season (272). Often singlehandedly, he has carried the Knicks (5-4) to above-.500 for the first time since Dec. 30 of 2016.

Kristaps Porzingis made a lot of improvements to his body and game in the offseason.

(Wendell Cruz/USA TODAY Sports)

He is averaging over 30 points per game and the “M-V-P” chants are increasing in volume. Sunday night was probably the best performance of his career, and not just because of the points.

Porzingis also blocked six shots – including a crowd-rousing rejection on Lance Stephenson’s dunk attempt – and scored 15 consecutive Knick points in the fourth quarter. When the game appeared lost, Porzingis strapped on his cape and led the Knicks on a 34-11 run to close the comeback.

He was subbed out with 3.5 seconds remaining to a rousing ovation and even more “M-V-P” chants. The legend grows at the Garden.

“The closest person to KP was probably Yao (Ming) with Yao being that tall. But KP’s more skilled as far as playing on the perimeter. He’s just scratching the surface right now,” said teammate Courtney Lee.

The Knicks are actually better without Carmelo Anthony, if only because it means Kristaps Porzingis is getting more opportunities.

(Andres Kudacki/AP)

It’s fair to ask whether Porzingis would be scratching with such intensity if Anthony were still around. It’s not that Anthony was a bad teammate or an unwilling passer, but his shots became Porzingis’ shots – and the Knicks seem better off for it.

Porzingis made a lot of improvements to his body and game in the offseason. But the biggest change is the opportunity created by Anthony’s absence. And Porzingis has taken full advantage.

“I’m getting more looks, I’m getting more opportunities to score and be the focal point of our offense, and that helps a lot,” Porzingis said. “But also it starts from practices, from training camp, just showing that I can be that guy and I can be aggressive and I need the ball. ... Now it’s just natural to us. We know the guys who can score the ball. We know we can all play defense, we can lock in. We established those roles from the first day. I’m happy that the things I worked on this summer and I got better at are showing now in the games.”